Recall leader joins council

Walter Malone appointed to fill Cassopolis vacancy.

Walter Malone appointed to fill Cassopolis vacancy.

November 17, 2005|JEFF ROMIG Tribune Staff Writer

CASSOPOLIS -- The village of Cassopolis' board of trustees is whole again. The election of Michelle Andrews to village president left one vacant trustee position, and Monday night it was filled. The board decided to appoint Walter Malone as trustee and also elected him the village's mayor pro-tempore. "He's very knowledgeable, and he has a history with the village," Andrews said. "He will be an asset in setting a new direction for the village." Malone said he is happy to help Cassopolis find that new direction. "I'm going to get in there and help get things back on track," he said. Malone said the board would soon design committees on which village residents could serve. "That's part of opening government up," Malone said. "Anybody who wants to be on a committee can put their name in the hopper." Malone led the recall of council President Julia Bell and trustees William Curry and Maxine Snipes, which ultimately ushered Andrews into the president position and Tim Swenor and Leon Gilliam into their new roles as trustees. All three were recalled Aug. 2, Bell by a vote of 178-166, Curry by a 178-162 margin, and Snipes by a 173-165 tally. Malone has been charged for allegedly signing recall petitions he didn't circulate. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Malone's recall language said Bell, Curry and Snipes neglected their responsibility because they voted not to provide supervision of Village Manager Art Sciorra.